MORE than 30 military wives have joined forces to launch a choir in South Gloucestershire.

The wives held a special concert at the Ministry of Defence’s Abbey Wood base in Filton to officially launch the new Bristol Military Wives Choir.

Covering songs such as Adele’s Make you feel my love and Golden Jubilee song Sing, the women hope to attract more members.

Conductor Lieutenant Gary Turner Royal Navy, who was involved with a similar choir in Plymouth, one of the original Military Wives Choirs started by Gareth Malone, said: “The Bristol Military Wives Choir aims to bring women together to have fun and enjoy singing.

“More importantly it is a way to socialise and offers a global network of support to each other when a husband, partner, or in fact any family member is away from home whether it is with the Navy, Army, or RAF or the TA - our door is open to them all.”

Despite the choir only launching in January, it has already been approached by the British Royal Legion to support the Bristol Poppy Launch and Festival of Remembrance this year and is hoping to perform a number of charity concerts at the Colston Hall and at national Money raised will go to service charities, predominantly the Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Airman’s Families’ Association (SSAFA) and the Royal British Legion (RBL).

Added Lieut Turner: “This is an exciting time for us and we are looking forward to building this choir up and providing a supportive and fun network for the military wives of Bristol.”

The Bristol Military Wives Choir meets every Tuesday evening (7-9pm) at Mangotsfield United Reformed Church in Emerson’s Green.

For more information or to join the choir email Bristol@militarywiveschoirs.org or BristolMD@Militarywiveschoirs.org